Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH)

[rives]

Also, anybody know whats up with Cycloptics gear? I want to know what kind of electronic ballast they're selling with their 120v unit. Check it out...

https://www.cycloptics.com/greenbeams-pnp-kit

That is the Welthink 120v plug-and-play low frequency square wave ballast Cycloptics is using for now...

It's UL listed. It's a good solution for now. But as I mentioned a few pages back, the Welthink will produce about 4% less radiant energy vs. Philips ballast. However, that 4% isn't really a huge loss, though, for example at 500 PPF that's only a reduction to about 480 PPF

While the Welthink may be a decent option if you absolutely have to have 120v, I think that I would buy the Philips ballast version and pick up a transformer on Amazon for under $30. Philips builds excellent, industrial-quality gear that I suspect is in an entirely different class than the Welthink gear.

 

[Beta Test Team]

100% agree.

 

[beta]

While the Welthink may be a decent option if you absolutely have to have 120v, I think that I would buy the Philips ballast version and pick up a transformer on Amazon for under $30. Philips builds excellent, industrial-quality gear that I suspect is in an entirely different class than the Welthink gear.

How big an efficiency loss are we talking with the transformer? Are they reasonably safe? Do they create a significant amount of heat? Can you recommend a specific transformer that'd be up to the task of running a 315W'r?

A seller on eBay had a kit that came with a PGZx18 > mogul socket adapter - Does anyone know where I can pick one of these up for individual purchase?

Thanks!

 

[Mikell]

Google is your friend. Advanced Lighting details the type of transformer you would want, sizing depends on use.

 

[rives]

How big an efficiency loss are we talking with the transformer? Are they reasonably safe? Do they create a significant amount of heat? Can you recommend a specific transformer that'd be up to the task of running a 315W'r?

A seller on eBay had a kit that came with a PGZx18 > mogul socket adapter - Does anyone know where I can pick one of these up for individual purchase?

Thanks!

Transformers efficiency loss is usually in the neighborhood of 1.5 - 3% when fully loaded. I've never seen one that you couldn't touch, and the heat generated is where the loss goes. The amount of heat is dependent on the air flow across it, with no fan and simply radiating the heat, they get pretty damn toasty. With a small fan on them, I doubt that you would see any significant rise.

They are more efficient when loaded than not, so you are better off switching the primary side of the transformer with your lighting control rather than interrupting the output and leaving the transformer energized.

Amazon has a 500w voltage converter that is ready to go for under $30 which should easily handle the inrush current during startup and the ballast overhead losses. I don't think that you are going to size one much closer than that. Considering the price, I doubt that the efficiency is as good as industrial quality gear, but it's probably not too bad. - http://www.amazon.com/Goldsource®-V...keywords=voltage+converter&pebp=1416884243819

I've seen the Mogul>PGZ18 adapters from several sources, you should be able to just Google it. I know that Mitronix makes them, but they have minimum orders. If you want to go the other way, PGZ18>Mogul, I've never seen one. http://lighting.mitronix.com/item/a...13b?&plpver=10&origin=keyword&filter=&by=prod

 

[Jhhnn]

What rives said. Anybody who offers the mogul to pgz adapter prices them high-

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PGZ18-E39-s...7657753?pt=US_Hydroponics&hash=item4189603499

The easy way to use CDM in a regular reflector is with the mogul base lamp in the kit from Advanced. Graft this & a power plug onto the philips ballast to make everything plug & play-

https://www.hydroponics.net/i/249988

The mogul lamp puts the bulb center right where it belongs in the usual reflectors, too.

 

[Beta Test Team]

Just wanted to say this is probably the most helpful thread I think I've ever seen, in terms of so many knowledgeable people providing answers and assistance to others, and everyone is so nice; this is probably my favorite thread. (Yes, I'm high.)

Carry on.

 

[Beta Test Team]

Also, anybody know whats up with Cycloptics gear? I want to know what kind of electronic ballast they're selling with their 120v unit. Check it out...

https://www.cycloptics.com/greenbeams-pnp-kit

That is the Welthink 120v plug-and-play low frequency square wave ballast Cycloptics is using for now...

It's UL listed. It's a good solution for now. But as I mentioned a few pages back, the Welthink will produce about 4% less radiant energy vs. Philips ballast. However, that 4% isn't really a huge loss, though, for example at 500 PPF that's only a reduction to about 480 PPF

While the Welthink may be a decent option if you absolutely have to have 120v, I think that I would buy the Philips ballast version and pick up a transformer on Amazon for under $30. Philips builds excellent, industrial-quality gear that I suspect is in an entirely different class than the Welthink gear.

Good points all around, rives.

That's how we first tested Greenbeams with the Philips ballast, using a step-up transformer for 120v wall outlet.

The nice parts about that route are the grower gets to use the Greenbeams luminaire and Philips ballast for 120v outlet with out much effort - and if in the future higher voltage outlet is available the grower doesn't need to buy a new ballast (not sure if the Welthink does 240v and 120v).

 

[a senile fungus]

i ran the 860's vert bare bulb, & seafour is right now running an 860 vert in a hood, the new sunsystem 315w setups run vert in hood (smaller footprint than horizontal) however i've not seen anyone run the 315's vert outside of a hood at all

BAM THERE YA GO!!

here's some pics of a 4x8x7ft tent, outfitted with two 315w CMH on a light mover. the bulbs are 4200k






















i think i attached it all correctly, i'm new at this forum.

 

[Avinash.miles]

whats up with the 315w bulb with mogul style base? is it that different from the pgz socketed 315w?

 

[Jhhnn]

whats up with the 315w bulb with mogul style base? is it that different from the pgz socketed 315w?

It's apparently the same light producing element in a different package.

 

[rives]

That's a very unusual looking lamp - is that the same mogul base version that Advanced is selling?

 

[Jhhnn]

That's a very unusual looking lamp - is that the same mogul base version that Advanced is selling?

I'd say yes. Looks like a dead ringer for the Philips 330w Retrowhite. It'd be hard to tell 'em apart.

 

[Drek]

whats up with the 315w bulb with mogul style base? is it that different from the pgz socketed 315w?

Much higher UVB output. 210uW if I recall correctly, vs 30uW on the PGZ base.

 

[Jhhnn]

Much higher UVB output. 210uW if I recall correctly, vs 30uW on the PGZ base.

Dunno. If there's any difference, I suspect it'd be due to the envelope. Seems unlikely that they'd create a whole different element just for a different package.

315 mogul base specs-

http://advancedtechlighting.com/cdmmw.htm

 

[Drek]

Sorry, that was 100uW for the 315 mogul and 190uW for the 210.
http://download.p4c.philips.com/l4b/9/928601176601_na/928601176601_na_pss_aenaa.pdf

Many of the HID lamps from Philips only come in at 30uW of UVB. Retrowhite comes in at 50uW.

Not that UVB is even desired by folks, but it's a fairly significant difference between the lamps.

 

[Avinash.miles]

the mogul base is the 4.2k bulbs itthink pgz is the 3.8k

 

[JointOperation]

so can you run these 860w cmh.. in a normal sun system 10 switchable ballast? or?

ive been hearing lots of good shit about these.. im thinking maybe mixing the spectrum up..

 

[beta]

.

 

[Avinash.miles]

so can you run these 860w cmh.. in a normal sun system 10 switchable ballast? or?

ive been hearing lots of good shit about these.. im thinking maybe mixing the spectrum up..

I've run the 860 on a shitchable magnetic ballast, remember 860w CMH MUST be hung vertically, they perform well, seaf0ur also has been using one with good results on a switchable ballast...
good lite, but not alot of power savings... .just a better spectrum and different output for basically the same draw, still imo worth a try.

Is this an appropriate wavelength for flowering?

once again, imo worth a try